Clustering is available in Windows Server® 2008 Enterprise and Windows Server® 2008 Datacenter editions. The improvements to failover clusters (formerly known as server clusters) are aimed at simplifying clusters, making them more secure, and enhancing cluster stability. Cluster setup and management are easier with the new MMC Snap-In management interface, and complexity is reduced by providing the user with a simple interface to create, manage and use their failover cluster. Setup is more straightforward, with fewer steps and less configuration. Also, Cluster setup is fully scriptable so that you can automate your deployment. Security and networking in clusters have been improved, as has the way a failover cluster communicates with storage.

Does your current hardware works? Just run the new validation wizard. It will run tests to determine whether your system, storage, and network configuration is suitable for a cluster. These tests include specific simulations of cluster actions, and fall into the following categories: System Configuration tests, Network tests and Storage tests.

What else is new? Well, GUID partition table (GPT) disks and partitions of up to 2 TB are supported in failover cluster storage. And, if you’re like me, you’re asking what is a GPT? Here is the answer: GPT disks provide increased disk size and robustness. Specifically, GPT disks can have partitions larger than two terabytes (that’s a lot) and have built-in redundancy in the way partition information is stored, unlike master boot record (MBR, bye old friend) disks. With failover clusters, you can use either type of disk.